To fully understand how much of an impact Tyler Bowen has made on the recruiting trail thus far for Ohio State, one may be best served looking at the recruitment of Tucker Smith.
Smith, a three-star 2026 offensive lineman from Arizona, visited Columbus on March 21 to take in a spring practice for the first time. One visit was all he needed to know he wanted to be part of Ohio State’s 2026 class. Smith held offers from schools like USC, Washington, Iowa State, Kansas State and both Power Four Arizona schools, but opted to accept the Buckeyes’ offer before a week passed. He officially committed on March 26, just five days after he receiving his offer.
I am proud and truly blessed to announce my commitment to continue my football career at THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY!!! GO BUCKS!!! @ryandaytime @Coach_Dickey @TylerBowen @oc_football @bkullos @N_Murph pic.twitter.com/R0ocC1xi5n
— Tucker Smith (@TuckerSmith77) March 26, 2025
“I’ve been to a lot of schools over the last year,” Smith told Eleven Warriors of his decision. “Those visits have helped me sort through the deciding process. Ohio State is just an incredible school. I also have family nearby. I am very proud to tell people I am going to be a Buckeye.”
Smith’s Ohio State recruitment was a short one, but the 6-foot-5, 280-pound prospect built a strong relationship with Bowen and knew he could trust Bowen to develop him as a lineman.
“Coach Bowen is awesome,” Smith said. “I am super excited to have him as my coach.”
Smith is considered the No. 805 prospect and the No. 71 interior offensive lineman in the 2026 class per 247Sports’ composite rankings. He’s played center, guard and tackle in high school. While he brings positional versatility to the Buckeyes’ offensive line room, Smith said he expects to play guard and center for Ohio State next season and probably won’t play tackle at the collegiate level.
“I just want to finish blocks every play,” Smith said. “I want to be known as a physical player who finishes blocks. I want to get better at everything. I'm excited to get coached by the best at Ohio State.”
Smith is the third offensive lineman to commit to the Buckeyes this cycle, joining Maxwell Riley and Sam Greer, with all of them committing last month. The trio have started to talk about their futures together and likely will keep conversing as the summer and fall move along.
“We have spoken a bit,” Smith said of Greer and Riley. “They seem like great guys. Looking forward to being their teammate.”
Bowen and Ohio State aren’t done yet recruiting offensive linemen, going after talent such as Jackson Cantwell, Drew Evers, Felix Ojo, Kelvin Obot, Evan Goodwin, Micah Smith, Darius Gray, Zaden Krempin and Breck Kolojay. With Riley, Greer and Smith all in the fold for OSU, that trio will be able to help Bowen peer recruit some of those names to Columbus this summer.
With his recruitment out of the way, Smith is focused on preparing for his senior season and then training for the collegiate game. Smith said he likely won’t enroll early, so he’ll join the Buckeyes in the summer of 2026.
